For much of the Civil War, U.S. Marines were assigned in small numbers to ships for the numerous tasks for which the Marines were trained. They also took up posts guarding Naval installations. In spite of the lack of deployment in major land battles, Marines participated in small numbers nonetheless. The Marines spearheaded most of the amphibious assaults of the war including: Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor; with smaller assaults in St Augustine Florida; and Fort Clinch Florida. Marines usually cleared out of an area quickly after securing it because the U.S. Army was almost always right behind them.
The U.S. Marine uniform from the Civil War is somewhat similar to the U.S. Army's uniform from the same time. The coat is similar to the Army's frock coat. It does have some differences though. The Marine coat is completely lined, has no tail pocket, has no extra cuff pieces, and is piped in red with one line of piping on the collar piece. The hat is a Union kepi. The hat is adorned with the Marine Hunting Horn. The white cross belts are holdovers from earlier in the century. Some Marines used the baldric (bayonet supporter) from the Army's 1839 pattern. Other Marines were equipped with the Army's 1828 pattern. Also, the Marines were using large numbers of 1855 rifles during the war instead of the 1861 Springfield rifles that were the usual issue for the regular infantry regiments. The Marines, as best as anyone can figure, tended to reserve the white crossbelts for dress formations only. |
